3D Scanning Capabilities

Our 3D scanner uses a two-camera system and a turntable for accurate captures from all angles. The scanner works purely with photos (no LIDAR) which results in high-resolution scans.

Technical specifications

The resolution depends on the size of the object or rather the distance from the scanner to the object:

  • Distance 220mm: XY resolution: 33 microns, depth resolution: 37 microns
  • Distance 400mm: XY resolution: 65 microns, depth resolution: 150 microns
  • Distance 700mm: XY resolution: 114 microns, depth resolution: 400 microns

The scanning process

Your object is placed on a motorised turntable. The scanner arm with two cameras makes multiple passes from different angles and heights — the turntable rotates a full 360° for each pass. For the underside, the object is flipped or placed on a support.

The point clouds from all passes are automatically or manually aligned and merged into one 3D model, which is then exported to STL, OBJ, PLY and other formats.

What can and cannot be scanned

Capabilities:

  • Objects from small to large (according to resolution table above): from a few cm to 60cm large
  • Complex shapes and geometries
  • Objects with textures and details
  • Transparent objects (with special treatment)

Limitations:

  • Since our scanner works with photos, we can only scan the outside of an object. What is not or hardly visible from the outside cannot be scanned.
  • Transparent objects require treatment with a spray that leaves no traces and disappears by itself
  • Dark parts sometimes have a lower resolution
  • Objects with no distinct features are not always scannable
  • Certain materials are inherently difficult to scan: rubber absorbs light and has few surface features, which typically leads to poor results

Delivery formats

Scans can be delivered in various formats:

  • STL - Standard format for 3D printing
  • OBJ - With UV texture mapping
  • PLY - Point cloud or mesh format
  • DAE (Collada) - For 3D applications
  • glTF2 - Modern 3D format
  • XYZ - Point cloud data

Questions about the possibilities for your specific project? Contact us for advice.